Apparatus and method for cable management

ABSTRACT

A monitoring device comprises a housing, a sensing device movable relative to the housing, and a cable having one end secured relative to the housing and another end secured to the sensing device. The housing includes a channel disposed therein and a portion of the cable is disposed in the channel for temporarily storing the cable. In one embodiment, a display screen is disposed in the housing, and the channel is disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the display screen. The cable may have a relaxed outside diameter greater than its stretched outside diameter, as in a coiled cable, thus allowing the cable to be stretched, inserted into the channel, and released to secure the cable in the channel. The cable may also be received in the channel in press-fit fashion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to monitoring devices. More particularly,the invention relates to an apparatus and method for cable management ina monitoring device.

[0002] Monitoring devices, in general, include a display screen such asa cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, or the like for displaying agraphical representation of a monitored condition. Monitoring devicesalso include a sensing device coupled to the monitoring devise by acable. The sensing device is positioned relative to a body, a structure,etc. to sense the monitored condition.

[0003] One type of monitoring device is a patient monitoring device formedical use. Patient monitoring devices include, for example, bloodpressure monitoring devices, electrocardiogram monitoring devices,ultrasound monitoring devices, and the like. In patient monitoringdevices, the sensing device may include an ultrasound probe, a bloodpressure cuff, electrical sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors,an the like.

[0004] In monitoring devices, repeated storage and retrieval of thesensing device may cause the cables to become tangled, making itdifficult and time consuming to take readings and troubleshoot themonitoring device. When the cables become tangled, the cables may needto be unplugged to facilitate untangling, resulting in a temporary lossof monitoring. Also, when a monitoring device is being transported orstored, the cables drape from the monitoring device. This can lead tothe cables becoming tangled and can make transport or storage difficult.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The above-described drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome oralleviated by a monitoring device comprising a housing, a sensing devicemovable relative to the housing, and a cable having one end securedrelative to the housing and another end secured to the sensing device.The housing includes a channel disposed therein and a portion of thecable is removably disposed in the channel for temporary storage of thecable. In one embodiment, a display screen is disposed in the housing,and the channel is disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter ofthe display screen.

[0006] In another aspect, a method of storing a cable in a monitoringdevice comprises: extending the cable to reduce an outside diameter ofthe cable to less than that of a channel formed in the monitoringdevice; disposing the cable in the channel; and releasing the extendedcable to secure the cable within the channel.

[0007] The above discussed and other features and advantages of thepresent invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements arenumbered alike in the several Figures:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a monitoring deviceincluding a channel disposed therein for storing a cable;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the monitoring device of FIG.1 with the cable removed from the channel;

[0011]FIG. 3, is a cross sectional view of the cable and the channel forstoring the cable;

[0012]FIG. 4, is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofthe cable and the channel for storing the cable; and

[0013]FIG. 5, is a cross sectional view of another alternativeembodiment the cable and the channel for storing the cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a perspective view of a monitoringdevice 10 is shown. Monitoring device 10 may include, for example, apatient monitoring device, such as a blood pressure monitoring device,an electrocardiogram monitoring device, an ultrasound monitoring device,or the like. Monitoring device 10 includes a housing 12 for mountingdisplay screen 14 such as a cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, orthe like for displaying a graphical representation of a monitoredcondition. A sensing device 16 is coupled to the monitoring device 10 bya cable 18. A portion of the cable 18 external to the housing 12 ismovable relative to the housing 12, allowing the sensing device 16 to bemanipulated. A human operator, such as a physician or technician,manipulates the sensing device 16 relative to a target object to sensethe monitored condition. Such sensing devices 16 may include, forexample, an ultrasound probe, a blood pressure cuff, electrical sensors,temperature sensors, and sound sensors. One end of the cable 16 issecured the housing 12 of the monitoring device 10. In the exampleshown, the cable 18 is secured to the same housing 12 as the displayscreen 14. It will be appreciated, however, that cable 18 may be securedto a point on the monitoring device 10 separate from the housing 12containing the display screen 14.

[0015] The housing 12 of the monitoring device 10 includes a top wall20, a first side wall 22 adjacent the top wall 20, and a second sidewall 24 adjacent the top wall 20. The display screen 14 extends betweenthe top wall 20 and the first and second side walls 22 and 24. A channel26 is formed in the housing 12 around a portion of the perimeter of thedisplay screen 14. The channel 26 extends along the first side wall 22,along top wall 20, and along the second side wall 24. In the embodimentshown, channel 26 is contiguous between the side walls 22 and 24 and thetop wall 20. Channel 26 may, however, be formed in any one or more offirst or second side walls 22 and 24, top wall 20, or a back wall 27 ofhousing 12, and may extend in a route across any one or more of thesewalls different from that shown.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, a cross sectional view of cable 18 andchannel 26 is shown. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, cable 18 is coiledto form a spring. When cable 18 is relaxed, i.e., when no external forceis applied to stretch cable 18, the cable 18 has a first overall length,i.e., a length measured along an axis 50 of the spiral from the point ofattachment to the monitoring device 10 to the point of attachment to thesensing device 16, and an outside diameter, which is indicated at d. Asshown in FIG. 3, when the cable 18 is relaxed, the diameter d is greaterthan the width w of the channel 26. When cable 18 is stretched to anoverall length greater than the first overall length, the outsidediameter d can be reduced to less than the width w of the channel 26,thus allowing cable 18 to be placed in channel 26. When cable 18 isinserted in channel 26 and the external stretching force on the cable 18is released, the outside diameter d of the cable 18 expands to contactthe sides of the channel 26, thus securing cable 18 within channel 26.Accordingly, a user of the monitoring device 10 can store the cable 18by: extending the cable 18 to reduce the outside diameter d to less thanthe width w of the channel 26; disposing the cable 18 into the channel26; and releasing the extended cable 18 to secure the cable 18 withinthe channel 26.

[0017]FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the channel 18 and cable26, wherein the portion of cable 18 extending from the housing 12 isreceived in the channel 26 in press-fit fashion. Referring to FIG. 4,cable 18 is straight, rather than spiraled, and includes a resilientmaterial 52 forming an outer surface 54 thereon. The outside diameter dof the cable 18 is dimensioned relative to the width w of the channel 26to create a press-fit with the sides of the channel 26. That is, whenthe cable 18 is disposed in the channel 26, the outer surface 54contacts the sides of the channel 26 such that the resilient material 52is compressed. As a result of this press-fit, the cable 18 is securedwithin the channel 26.

[0018]FIG. 5 is another alternative embodiment of the channel 26 andcable 18, wherein the portion of cable 18 extending from the housing 12is received in the channel 26 in press-fit fashion. Referring to FIG. 5,cable 18 is straight, rather than spiraled, and channel 26 includes oneor more detents 56 formed on one or more sides of the channel 26. Thewidth w between the detents 56 is less than the diameter d of the cable18. In the embodiment shown, detents 56 are mounted on resilient arms58. Insertion of cable 18 into the channel 26 spreads resilient arms 58to allow cable 18 to pass between detents 56. When cable 18 is fullyinserted, detents 56 secure cable 18 within channel 26. Alternatively,detents 56 may be fixed to the sides of the channel 26 without resilientarms 58, and a resilient cover may be used on cable 18 as in theembodiment of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, detents 56 deflect theresilient cover 18 of the cable 18 as the cable 18 is inserted into thechannel 26, and, when the cable 18 is fully inserted 56, detents securecable 18 within channel 26.

[0019] In any of the embodiments described hereinabove, the cable 18 maybe removed from the channel 26 by pulling the cable 18 away from thechannel 26. With the cable 18 removed from the channel 26, as shown inFIG. 2, the sensing device 16 can be manipulated by an operator to sensethe monitored condition.

[0020] With the apparatus and method for cable management describedherein, the cable can be repeatedly stored and retrieved withoutbecoming tangled. As a result, the apparatus and method make it lessdifficult and time consuming to take readings and to troubleshoot themonitoring device, and reduce the need to unplug the cables tofacilitate untangling. Also, with this apparatus and method,transportation and storage of the monitoring device can be performedwithout the problems associated with dangling cables.

[0021] While the invention has been described with reference to apreferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denoteany order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. areused to distinguish one element from another.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring device comprising: a housing; achannel disposed in the housing; a sensing device movable relative tothe housing; and a cable having one end secured relative to the housingand another end secured to the sensing device, a portion of the cablebeing removably disposed in the channel for temporarily storing thecable.
 2. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising: adisplay screen disposed in the housing, the channel being disposedaround at least a portion of a perimeter of the display screen.
 3. Themonitoring device of claim 2, wherein the channel is disposed aroundthree sides of the perimeter of the display screen.
 4. The monitoringdevice of claim 1, wherein the cable has a relaxed outside diameter anda stretched outside diameter, the relaxed outside diameter being greaterthan a width of the channel and the stretched outside diameter beingless than the width of the channel.
 5. The monitoring device of claim 3,wherein the cable is coiled.
 6. The monitoring device of claim 1,wherein the cable is received in the channel in press-fit fashion. 7.The monitoring device of claim 6, wherein in the cable includes aresilient material forming an outer surface thereon, the resilientmaterial being compressed by a side of the channel to secure the cablewithin the channel.
 8. The monitoring device of claim 6, furthercomprising: a detent formed on a side of the channel, the detentreleasably retaining the cable in the channel.
 9. A monitoring devicecomprising: a housing; a cable secured to the housing and having aportion extending from the housing; and means for releasably securingthe portion extending from the housing to the housing.
 10. Themonitoring device of claim 9, wherein the means for releasably securingincludes: a channel disposed in the housing, the channel receiving theportion extending from the housing.
 11. The patient monitor of claim 10,further comprising: a display screen disposed in the housing, thechannel is disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of thedisplay screen.
 12. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the cablehas a relaxed outside diameter and a stretched outside diameter, therelaxed outside diameter being greater than a width of the channel andthe stretched outside diameter being less than the width of the channel.13. The monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the cable is a coiledcable.
 14. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the cable isreceived in the channel in press-fit fashion.
 15. The monitoring deviceof claim 14, wherein in the cable includes a resilient material formingan outer surface of the cable, the resilient material being compressedby a side of the channel to secure the cable within the channel.
 16. Themonitoring device of claim 14, further comprising a detent formed on aside of the channel, the detent releasably retaining the cable in thechannel.
 17. A method of storing a cable in a monitoring device, themethod comprising: extending a cable to reduce an outside diameter ofthe cable to less than a width of a channel formed in the monitoringdevice; disposing the extended cable in the channel; and releasing theextended cable to secure the cable within the channel.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the monitoring device includes a display screen andthe channel is disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of thedisplay screen.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the cable is coiled.20. A monitoring device comprising: a housing; a sensing device movablerelative to the housing; a display screen disposed in the housing, thedisplay screen being configured to display a graphical representation ofa condition monitored by the sensing device; a channel disposed in thehousing, the channel extending around at least a portion of a perimeterof the display screen; and a cable having one end secured relative tothe housing and another end secured to the sensing device, a portion ofthe cable being removably disposed in the channel.
 21. The monitoringdevice of claim 19, wherein the cable has a relaxed outside diameter anda stretched outside diameter, the relaxed outside diameter being greaterthan a width of the channel and the stretched outside diameter beingless than the width of the channel.
 22. The monitoring device of claim21, wherein the cable is coiled.
 23. The monitoring device of claim 20,wherein the cable is received in the channel in press-fit fashion. 24.The monitoring device of claim 23, wherein in the cable includes aresilient material forming an outer surface thereof, the resilientmaterial being compressed by a side of the channel to secure the cablewithin the channel.
 25. The patient monitor of claim 23, furthercomprising a detent formed on a side of the channel, the detentreleasably retaining the cable in the channel.
 26. A monitoring devicecomprising: a sensing device; a cable secured to the sensing device; adisplay screen; a housing for the display screen, the housing including:a top wall; a first side wall adjacent the top wall; a second side walladjacent the top wall, the display screen extending between the topwall, the first side wall, and the second side wall; and a first channelformed in at least one of the top wall, the first side wall, and thesecond side wall, the cable being removably received in the channel. 27.The monitoring device of claim 26, further comprising: a second channeldisposed in the second side wall, the cable being removably disposed inthe second channel.
 28. The monitoring device of claim 27, furthercomprising: a third channel disposed in the top wall, the cable beingremovably disposed in the second channel.
 29. The monitoring device ofclaim 28 wherein the first, second, and third channels are contiguous.30. The monitoring device of claim 29, wherein the cable has a relaxedoutside diameter and a stretched outside diameter, the relaxed outsidediameter being greater than a width of the channel and the stretchedoutside diameter being less than the width of the channel.
 31. Themonitoring device of claim 29, wherein the cable is received in thechannel in press-fit fashion.